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All FAQ topics

Money & Life Events

What happens to my taxes if I get married this year?
→ Your filing status changes based on your status on December 31, and filing jointly usually lowers your combined bill. (Individual & Family, Q5)
Who claims the kids on taxes after a divorce?
→ Only one parent can claim each child — usually whoever the child lives with more, unless there’s a signed agreement. (Individual & Family, Q17)
Do I get a tax credit for having a baby?
→ Yes — you may now qualify for the Child Tax Credit and the Child and Dependent Care Credit. (Individual & Family, Q7, Q16)
Can I write off medical bills on my taxes?
→ Only if you itemize, and only the amount above 7.5% of your income. (Individual & Family, Q11)
What tax breaks do I get for buying a house?
→ Mortgage interest and property taxes may be deductible if you itemize instead of taking the standard deduction. (Individual & Family, Q15)
Do I have to pay taxes when I sell my house?
→ Not on the first $250K of profit ($500K if married), as long as you lived there two of the last five years. (Individual & Family, Q24)
Do I owe taxes on a house I inherited?
→ Not on the inheritance itself — but your cost basis resets to the value on the date you inherited it, which matters when you sell. (Individual & Family, Q19)
What taxes do I need to file if a parent or family member passes away?
→ The estate may have its own filing obligations depending on size, and a final personal return still has to be filed for the person who died.
Is severance pay or unemployment taxable?
→ Yes to both — and severance withholding is often wrong, so don’t assume it’s already covered.
How is my income taxed after I retire?
→ Social Security, pensions, and IRA withdrawals are all taxed differently — worth reviewing before you file your first retirement return. (Individual & Family, Q18)

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Work & Money Changes

Do I owe extra tax if I freelance on the side of my job?
→ Yes — self-employment tax applies to the side income on top of your regular W-2 tax. (Freelancer, Q18)
What do I need to do taxwise if I quit my job to freelance full-time?
→ You become responsible for quarterly estimated tax payments — nobody’s withholding for you anymore. (Freelancer, Q6)
Do I have to pay taxes on a work bonus?
→ Yes, and bonuses are frequently over- or under-withheld — worth checking your paycheck against your actual bracket.
How much tax do I pay when I sell stock or crypto?
→ It depends on how long you held it — short-term and long-term gains are taxed at very different rates. (IRS Help & Investments, Q14–22)
Do I owe taxes on profit I haven’t taken out of my business yet?
→ If your business is a partnership, yes — partners are taxed on their share of profit whether or not it was actually paid out. (Small Business, Q7)
Do I have to pay taxes on a brand deal or sponsorship?
→ Yes, all of it — including free products you received in exchange for content. (Creator & Artist, Q1–2)
What’s the penalty for taking money out of my 401(k) early?
→ Regular income tax plus a 10% penalty, unless you qualify for a specific exception. (Individual & Family, Q22)

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Moving & Cross-Border

Do I owe state taxes in two states if I moved this year?
→ Possibly — each state taxes the income earned while you lived there. (Freelancer, Q1)
Do I still have to file U.S. taxes if I move abroad?
→ Yes, always — and your old state may still consider you a resident too. (Expat, Q1, Q8)
How do I file taxes if I just moved to the U.S. and don’t have a Social Security number?
→ You’ll likely need to apply for an ITIN. (ITIN & Newcomers, Q1)
Do I owe U.S. taxes if I’m not a citizen but earn money from U.S. clients?
→ Likely yes — U.S.-source income generally creates a U.S. filing obligation regardless of citizenship. (Expat, Q11)

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Trouble & Surprises

What do I do if I get a letter from the IRS?
→ Don’t panic — most notices are routine and fixable, but the response deadline is real and matters. (IRS Help, Q1, Q8)
What happens if I haven’t filed taxes in years?
→ File as soon as you can — the longer you wait, the fewer options and the bigger the penalties. (IRS Help, Q3)
What do I do if I owe taxes and can’t afford to pay?
→ File anyway — the late-filing penalty is worse than the late-payment one, and payment plans are available. (IRS Help, Q5)
What do I do if someone filed a fake tax return using my Social Security number?
→ Report it to the IRS right away — tax identity theft is easier to fix the sooner you act. (ITIN & Newcomers, Q19)

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Conclusion: Taxes rarely show up as a single clean question — they show up as a life event, a new job, a move, or a letter you weren’t expecting. Whatever situation you’re in, there’s a path through it, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. If you have further questions or need personalized guidance, our team at Black Inc Tax Services is here to help.

We assist clients through:

  • Major life and financial transitions
  • New income sources, moves, and career changes
  • Time-sensitive IRS notices and unfiled years
  • Situations that don’t fit neatly into one category

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Please consult a qualified tax professional for specific guidance.

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4.8514 reviews onGoogle

Anthony Alvarez

Google review

This is the very best tax preparation company I have ever used. They are very friendly, organized and efficient and most importantly they know the tax laws very well and therefore you get the very best compliant taxes that will minimize what you pay (if you owe money) or maximixe your refund, if you are gettibg one. I highly recommend this company to anyone and everyone that needs to do taxes. I absolute love this company and you will too.

21 18

Google review

Great service and attention to our specific needs and situation.

Kiem Maenpa

Google review

Black Inc was extremely helpful and professional in handling my income taxes. I went with the idea my taxes would be complicated and difficult but quickly saw with the help of Miguel, that I was wrong. He was such a help at getting things done quickly, efficiently and accurately, making my life so much easier. I even got a return and didn’t have to pay this year! I would definitely recommend Black Inc Tax Services for income tax help!

Christina Garcia

Google review

miguel is very knowledgeable and patient . i trust him and the staff is so friendly. w

anette e.

Google review

I consider myself fortunate to have come across Victor Felix to assist me with my taxes. After my previous accountant passed away, it was challenging to find someone with the same level of insight and assistance. Victor has proven to be that person. He approaches tax preparation strategically, offering solutions and reliable options while paying attention to the intricate details of the tax code. In comparison to others I've consulted, Victor has provided me with superior guidance, resembling that of my former accountant. I genuinely value his intelligence and support.

Ana Mirian Hernandez

Google review

Excelente atención. Un personal muy profesional y amable

S C

Google review

Helpful and knowledgeable. Answered all my questions, willing to help.

Jacqueline Moreno

Google review

Miguel is an excellent tax professional! He was knowledgeable, professional, patient, and made the whole tax process easy to understand. He took the time to answer all my questions and made sure everything was handled carefully and correctly. I really appreciate his honesty and great customer service. I highly recommend Miguel to anyone looking for a trustworthy and reliable tax guy! Also the everyone at the office had great customer service.

Selected Google review excerpts captured October 19, 2026. Rating and review count checked on that date.

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